A shorter walk but in this nice weather we can't stay around home for a really local walk. 

The afternoon and the days are shorter now so we opt for a location that has views to the north and west

in order to maximize the sunshine after a very damp November.

We drive to the far end of Loweswater and then up the hill that forms the western watershed of the valley.

We turn and take the road towards Lamplugh but soon stop by the gate that leads to the High Nook bridleway, often called the Coffin Route.

The weather is lovely today, as the sun highlights the brightness and shadows on distant fells.

Loes is still a little fragile after her op, so it'll be a shorter walk today.

To make it longer would extend the walk into that shadow ahead, and we wouldn't want that would we !

The elevated track looks down on the Loweswater valley and the lake, at this point still hidden below.

Across the way are two farms, Askill to the left and Myresyke to the right. 

Only Askill is still actively farming  and that is by young couple new to the valley, which is great.

Myresyke with the newly painted orange wall has leased its lands out to the other farmers.

First view of the lake, in fact we can see two . . . both Loweswater and Crummock Water.

An old gateway, highlighted by the two stone posts, is wired up and no longer in use.

The strong reeds or rushes are an indication of damp ground and poor pasture, up here on this level part of the walk.

 

Heading back towards Fangs Brow and the car parked on the Lamplugh Road.

Deep ruts in the track once again imply the damp nature of the ground during wetter days.

Underneath the distant cloud you can in fact make out Criffel, the high hill on the Scottish side of the Solway Firth.

Can't linger too long as we're out tonight to Keswick for the Banff Film Festival World Tour this evening

at the Theatre by the Lake in Keswick . . . who knows, we might meet up with a few old friends.